Plate for a compressible elastomeric spring

Abstract

A plate for a compressible elastomeric spring is formed from a predetermined material and has each of a first substantially flat surface, an opposed second substantially flat surface, a predetermined thickness and a predetermined shape. Prongs are provided on at least one surface of the plate and extend outwardly at a predetermined angle relative thereto for mechanically interlocking the plate with an axial end an abutting elastomeric pad. Prongs may have trapezoidal shape. An axial aperture may be also provided with the prongs located on or in close proximity to a peripheral edge of the apertures. Prongs may be also provided on the opposed surface of the plate for mechanically interlocking the plate with an axial end of another abutting elastomeric pad. Annular ring-like projections are also provided for mechanically interlocking the plate to at least one elastomeric pad.

1. A plate for a compressible elastomeric spring including a pad defining a central axis and having a peripheral side surface and a pair of axial ends, each of the pair of axial ends having a flat surface thereof disposed normal to the central axis, said plate comprising:
 (a) a plate member manufactured from a predetermined material and having each of a first substantially flat surface, an opposed second substantially flat surface, a predetermined thickness and a predetermined shape; 
 (b) a predetermined plurality of prongs at least one of formed integrally with said plate member and secured to one substantially flat surface of said plate member, each of said predetermined plurality of prongs having a trapezoidal shape and extending outwardly at a predetermined angle relative to said one substantially flat surface for mechanically interlocking said plate member with an axial end of the pad abutting said one substantially flat surface; and 
 (c) said predetermined plurality of prongs disposed in a circular pattern about the central axis, whereby a surface of said each of said predetermined plurality of prongs facing the central axis is disposed tangentially to a periphery of said circular pattern. 
 
     
     
       2. The plate, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined thickness is substantially uniform thickness throughout. 
     
     
       3. The plate, according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of prongs are positioned at equal angles from each other relative to the central axis. 
     
     
       4. The plate, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined plurality of prongs are positioned at a constant distance from the central axis. 
     
     
       5. The plate, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined plurality of prongs are positioned in proximity to the central axis. 
     
     
       6. The plate, according to  claim 1 , wherein said each prong is formed integral with said plate member. 
     
     
       7. The plate, according to  claim 1 , wherein said plate includes an axial aperture formed therethrough concentric with the central axis and wherein said each prong is positioned about a peripheral edge of said axial aperture. 
     
     
       8. The plate, according to  claim 1 , wherein said plate further includes a predetermined plurality of projections at least one of secured to said one surface of said plate member and formed integral therewith, said predetermined plurality of projections extending outwardly from said one surface and a plurality of apertures, each of said plurality of apertures formed through each of a respective projection and through said plate member for mechanically interlocking said plate with the pad abutting said one substantially flat surface. 
     
     
       9. The plate, according to  claim 8 , wherein each of said predetermined plurality of projections has an annular shape. 
     
     
       10. The plate, according to  claim 8 , wherein said predetermined plurality of projections are positioned at equal angles from each other at a constant radius from the central axis. 
     
     
       11. The plate, according to  claim 8 , wherein said predetermined plurality of projections are aligned in a predetermined pattern relative to said predetermined plurality of prongs. 
     
     
       12. A plate engageable with a compressible elastomeric spring including a pad defining a central axis and having a peripheral surface and a pair of axial ends, each of the pair of axial ends having a flat surface thereof disposed normal to the central axis, said plate comprising:
 (a) a plate member manufactured from a predetermined material and having each of a first substantially flat surface, an opposed second substantially flat surface, a predetermined thickness and a predetermined shape; 
 (b) an axial aperture formed through said plate member concentric with the central axis; and 
 (c) a predetermined plurality of prongs at least one of formed integrally with said plate member and secured to one substantially flat surface thereof, said predetermined plurality of prongs positioned about a peripheral edge of said axial aperture and extending outwardly at a predetermined angle relative to said one substantially flat surface of said plate member for mechanically interlocking said plate with an axial end of the pad abutting said one substantially flat surface, wherein an inner surface of each of said predetermined plurality of prongs facing said axial aperture is disposed tangentially to a periphery of said axial aperture. 
 
     
     
       13. The plate, according to  claim 12 , wherein said each of said predetermined plurality of prongs has a trapezoidal shape. 
     
     
       14. A plate for a compressible elastomeric spring including a predetermined plurality of elastomeric pads disposed coaxially and in series with each other to form a multi-tiered stack having a central axis and a predetermined neutral height, whereby each pad compresses along the central axis during cushioning of dynamic impact forces causing reduction in the predetermined neutral height of the stack, the each pad having a peripheral surface and a pair of axial ends, each of the pair of axial ends having a flat surface thereof disposed normal to the central axis, said plate comprising:
 (a) a plate member manufactured from a predetermined material and having each of a first substantially flat surface, an opposed second substantially flat surface, a predetermined thickness and a predetermined shape; 
 (b) a predetermined plurality of first prongs at least one of formed integrally with said plate member and secured to said first substantially flat surface of said plate member, each of said predetermined plurality of first prongs having a trapezoidal shape and extending outwardly at a first predetermined angle relative to said first substantially flat surface of said plate member for mechanically interlocking said plate with one pad abutting said first substantially flat surface of said plate member; 
 (c) a predetermined plurality of second prongs at least one of formed integrally with said plate member and secured to said opposed second substantially flat surface of said plate member, each of said predetermined plurality of second prongs having a trapezoidal shape and extending outwardly at a second predetermined angle relative to said second substantially flat surface of said plate member for mechanically interlocking said plate with an opposed pad abutting said second substantially flat surface of said plate; and 
 (d) said predetermined plurality of first prongs and said predetermined plurality of second prongs disposed in a circular pattern about the central axis, whereby a surface of said each of said predetermined plurality of first prongs and said predetermined plurality of second prongs facing the central axis is disposed tangentially to a periphery of said circular pattern. 
 
     
     
       15. The plate, according to  claim 14 , wherein said predetermined plurality of said second prongs positioned in an alternating manner with said predetermined plurality of said first prongs. 
     
     
       16. The plate, according to  claim 14 , wherein said predetermined plurality of said first and said second prongs have a substantially identical shape. 
     
     
       17. The plate, according to  claim 14 , wherein each of said first predetermined angle and said second predetermined angle is generally about ninety degrees. 
     
     
       18. The plate, according to  claim 14 , wherein said predetermined plurality of said first and second prongs are located at equal angles from each other. 
     
     
       19. The plate, according to  claim 14 , wherein said predetermined plurality of said first and said second prongs are located at a constant distance from the central axis. 
     
     
       20. The plate, according to  claim 14 , wherein said plate includes:
 (a) a predetermined plurality of first projections at least one of formed integrally with said plate member and secured to said first substantially flat surface of said plate member, each of said predetermined plurality of first projections extending outwardly from said first substantially flat surface and include a plurality of first apertures, each of said plurality of first apertures formed through each of a respective first projection and through said plate member; and 
 (b) a plurality of second projections at least one of formed integrally with said plate member and secured to said second substantially flat surface of said plate member, each of said predetermined plurality of second projections extending outwardly from said second substantially flat surface and include a plurality of second apertures, each of said plurality of second apertures formed through each of a respective second projection and through said plate member. 
 
     
     
       21. The plate, according to  claim 20 , wherein said predetermined plurality of second projections are located in an alternating manner with said predetermined plurality of first projections. 
     
     
       22. The plate, according to  claim 20 , wherein said predetermined plurality of said first and said second projections are formed at equal angles from each other and at a constant radius from a center of said plate. 
     
     
       23. The plate, according to  claim 14 , wherein said plate further includes means for preventing over-compression of the predetermined plurality of elastomeric pads. 
     
     
       24. The plate, according to  claim 23 , wherein said over-compression preventing means includes at least one stop at least one of secured to and formed integral with a predetermined portion of said plate member. 
     
     
       25. The plate, according to  claim 14 , wherein said plate further includes means for guiding axial movement of said plate during use. 
     
     
       26. The plate, according to  claim 25 , wherein said axial guiding means includes a pair of flanges at least one of formed integral with and rigidly secured to a predetermined portion of said plate member. 
     
     
       27. A plate for a compressible spring unit including a predetermined plurality of elastomeric pads disposed coaxially and in series with each other to form a multi-tiered stack having a central axis and a predetermined neutral height, whereby each pad compresses along the central axis during cushioning of dynamic impact forces causing a reduction in the predetermined neutral height of the stack, the each pad having a peripheral surface and a pair of axial ends, each of the pair of ends having a substantially flat surface thereof disposed normal to the central axis, said plate comprising:
 (a) a plate member manufactured from a predetermined material and having each of a first substantially flat surface, an opposed second substantially flat surface, a predetermined thickness and a predetermined shape; 
 (b) an axial aperture formed through said plate member concentric with the central axis; 
 (c) a plurality of first prongs at least one of formed integrally with said plate member and secured to said first substantially flat surface thereof, each of said predetermined plurality of first prongs positioned about a peripheral edge of said axial aperture and extending outwardly at a first predetermined angle relative to said first substantially flat surface of said plate member for mechanically interlocking said plate with one pad abutting said first substantially flat surface of said plate member; 
 (d) a plurality of second prongs at least one of formed integrally with said plate member and secured to said second substantially flat surface thereof, each of said predetermined plurality of second prongs are positioned about said peripheral edge of said axial aperture and extending outwardly at a second predetermined angle relative to said second substantially flat surface of said plate member for mechanically interlocking said plate with an opposed pad abutting said second substantially flat surface of said plate member; and 
 (e) each of said predetermined plurality of first prongs and said predetermined plurality of second prongs disposed in a circular pattern about the central axis, whereby a surface of said each of said predetermined plurality of first prongs and said predetermined plurality of second prongs facing said axial aperture is disposed tangentially to a periphery of said axial aperture. 
 
     
     
       28. A plate for a compressible elastomeric spring including a predetermined plurality of elastomeric pads disposed coaxially and in series with each other to form a multi-tiered stack having a central axis and a predetermined neutral height, whereby each pad compresses along the central axis during cushioning of dynamic impact forces causing reduction in the predetermined neutral height of the stack, the each pad having a peripheral surface and a pair of axial ends, each of the pair of axial ends having a flat surface thereof disposed normal to the central axis, said plate comprising:
 (a) a plate member manufactured from a predetermined material and having each of a first substantially flat surface, an opposed second substantially flat surface, a predetermined thickness and a predetermined shape; 
 (b) a predetermined plurality of first prongs at least one of formed integrally with said plate member and secured to said first substantially flat surface of said plate member, each of said predetermined plurality of first prongs having a trapezoidal shape and extending outwardly at a first predetermined angle relative to said first substantially flat surface of said plate member for mechanically interlocking said plate with one pad abutting said first substantially flat surface of said plate member; a predetermined plurality of second prongs at least one of formed integrally with said plate member and secured to said opposed second substantially flat surface of said plate member, each of said predetermined plurality of second prongs having a trapezoidal shape and extending outwardly at a second predetermined angle relative to said second substantially flat surface of said plate member for mechanically interlocking said plate with an opposed pad abutting said second substantially flat surface of said plate; 
 (c) a predetermined plurality of first projections at least one of formed integrally with said plate member and secured to said first substantially flat surface of said plate member, each of said predetermined plurality of first projections extending outwardly from said first substantially flat surface and include a plurality of first apertures, each of said plurality of first apertures formed through each of a respective first projection and through said plate member; 
 (d) a predetermined plurality of second projections at least one of formed integrally with said plate member and secured to said second substantially flat surface of said plate member, each of said predetermined plurality of second projections extending outwardly from said second substantially flat surface and include a plurality of second apertures, each of said plurality of second apertures formed through each of a respective second projection and through said plate member; and 
 (e) each of said predetermined plurality of first prongs and said predetermined plurality of second prongs disposed in a circular pattern about the central axis, whereby a surface of said each of said predetermined plurality of first prongs and said predetermined plurality of second prongs facing the central axis is disposed tangentially to a periphery of said circular pattern. 
 
     
     
       29. A plate for a compressible elastomeric spring including a predetermined plurality of elastomeric pads disposed coaxially and in series with each other to form a multi-tiered stack having a central axis and a predetermined neutral height, whereby each pad compresses along the central axis during cushioning of dynamic impact forces causing reduction in the predetermined neutral height of the stack, the each pad having a peripheral surface and a pair of axial ends, each of the pair of axial ends having a flat surface thereof disposed normal to the central axis, said plate comprising:
 (a) a plate member formed from a predetermined material and having each of a first substantially flat surface, an opposed second substantially flat surface, a predetermined thickness and a predetermined shape; 
 (b) a predetermined plurality of first prongs at least one of formed integrally with said plate member and secured to said first substantially flat surface of said plate member, each of said predetermined plurality of first prongs having a trapezoidal shape and extending outwardly at a first predetermined angle relative to said first substantially flat surface of said plate member for mechanically interlocking said plate with one pad abutting said first substantially flat surface of said plate member, a predetermined plurality of second prongs at least one of formed integrally with said plate member and secured to said opposed second substantially flat surface of said plate member, each of said predetermined plurality of second prongs having a trapezoidal shape and extending outwardly at a second predetermined angle relative to said second substantially flat surface of said plate member for mechanically interlocking said plate with an opposed pad abutting said second substantially flat surface of said plate; 
 (c) a pair of flanges at least one of formed integral with and rigidly secured to a predetermined portion of said plate member; and 
 (d) each of said predetermined plurality of first prongs and said predetermined plurality of second prongs disposed in a circular pattern about the central axis, whereby a surface of said each of said predetermined plurality of first prongs and said predetermined plurality of second prongs facing the central axis is disposed tangentially to a periphery of said circular pattern.